Reaching out to former colleague

To approach your former intern buddy and inquire about lateraling opportunities, here’s a structured plan based on the most helpful WSO content:

1. Re-establish the Connection

• Start by reaching out with a friendly and casual tone. Remind them of your shared experience during the internship and express genuine interest in catching up. Here's an example of how you could draft your message: Hi Name, I hope you're doing well! I wanted to reach out and reconnect since we worked together during my internship at [Bank Name]. I really appreciated your guidance back then and would love to hear how things have been going for you since. Let me know if you'd be open to catching up sometime soon!
• Keep the initial message light and focused on reconnecting rather than diving straight into your request.

2. Build Rapport Before Asking

• Once they respond and you’ve re-established communication, engage in a conversation about their current role, team, and experiences. Show genuine interest in their work and insights about the bank.
• This step is crucial to avoid coming across as transactional. People are more likely to help if they feel a personal connection.

3. Express Your Interest in Their Team

• After building rapport, transition into expressing your interest in their part of the bank. Be clear about why you’re interested in lateraling and how your skills align with the team’s needs. For example: I’ve been following [specific team/department] and am really impressed by the work being done there. I feel that my experience in [current role/skills] could be a great fit, and I’d love to explore opportunities to contribute to the team.

4. Ask for Guidance or Referral

• Politely ask if they’re aware of any openings or if they’d be comfortable referring you. Here’s how you could phrase it: Would you happen to know if there are any openings on your team or within [specific department]? If it’s not too much trouble, I’d greatly appreciate any advice or even a referral if you think I’d be a good fit. I can send over my updated resume if that would help.

5. Follow Up

• If they don’t respond immediately, don’t hesitate to follow up after a week or two. Persistence is key, as lateral roles often pop up unexpectedly, and staying on their radar can make a difference.

Additional Tips:

• Be Prepared to Explain Your Reason for Moving: Based on WSO’s top-rated threads, having a clear and concise reason for lateraling is critical. Practice articulating why you want to make the move and how it aligns with your career goals.
• Leverage Networking Beyond Your Buddy: While your intern buddy is a great starting point, don’t limit yourself. Network with others in the team or department you’re targeting, especially Associates, as they often play a key role in lateral hiring processes.
• Follow Up Regularly: Lateral roles can appear out of nowhere, so checking in every couple of months is perfectly acceptable.

By following these steps, you can approach the situation professionally and increase your chances of securing a referral or learning about potential openings. Good luck!

Sources: Guide to Lateraling in 2021, How to ask for referrals?, Getting referred for internships, Advice for summer and return offer rate?, Guide to Lateraling in 2021